Google has announced that it is adding location oriented suggestions in it’s Mobile searches. This is in regular Google search, not just Google Maps.
It is, according to Google,
an improvement to Google.com search suggestions offered on Android powered devices and iPhone. Now, Google will offer suggestions based on the phone’s current or last location, making the suggestions more relevant.
From the comments on Google’s Mobile blog the effort has started off with spotty results, but the idea its that eventually you will just have to start typing a search into google.com on you mobile phone and search suggestions will load based on your location.
This will be an advantage for local businesses because potential customers don’t always know to use Google Maps to find your business, although you have to turn on “Save recent locations” and “Allow use of device location” under the Settings link on the google.com home page to use the new feature.
The point is, that with advancing technology it will become even easier for people to find your business using their mobile phones..
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Even if you have a local business you need a local search marketing strategy. By local search I mean online search and now, more and more, searches using mobile phones.
A couple of months ago I wrote about local search taking over from Yellow Pages.
According to the latest study from TMP Directional Marketing it continues to grow. Local search has grown from 11% to 12% and Internet Yellow Pages usage has grown from 19% to 21% in the last year. Some excerpts from the study are below:
…the growing demand for local business information across interactive search platforms, especially online and mobile, is creating additional opportunities… In order to reach target audiences, marketers must think locally and focus their messages on local marketplaces where consumers shop.
…in-store purchases decreased across the board since 2007, most likely due to economic factors, half of all local business searchers made purchases [emphasis added].
With 22 million consumers using the mobile Internet through June 2009, the preferred mode to access local business information remains the mobile browser. In fact, 127 percent more users accessed local content via downloaded applications on mobile devices, compared to June 2008.
This means having a web site with hours of operation, address, phone number and a map as a minimum. This means claiming your business in local search engines and signing up in online search directories.
To be successful in today’s interactive community, your local business must be in local search engines and online local business directories..
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There are three ways potential customers can find a small business using the web: Internet search, Local search and Mobile search. Mobile search is one that’s often left out of small business marketing strategies.
And Mobile search is the one that’s growing by leaps and bounds. According to a Nielsen report Mobile use is up 34% year-over-year from July 2008 to July 2009. And it’s not just teens fueling the increase. Seniors make up a big part of the growth.
Overall, year-over-year growth among the 13-17 and 65+ age groups outpaced the growth of the total mobile Web audience, with a youth increase of 45 percent and seniors surging upwards 67 percent in July. While men continue to make up a larger portion of mobile Web users versus women, comprising 53 percent of the audience in July, the growth of female visitors outpaced the growth of male visitors during the month, with women increasing 43 percent YOY as compared to a 26 percent growth among men.
So what can you do about it?
Neilsen’s report shows that women use AT&T search (run by Yahoo! Mobile) and AOL Search (run by Google) with their mobile phones.
So in addition to claiming your small business on Google and Yahoo! local search, consider signing up for mobile search.
Yahoo! Mobile Sponsored Search
Google Adwords has a special Mobile Search advertising area for your ad campaigns..
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Awhile ago I posted Online Search Beating Yellow Pages which explained that more and more people are searching online for local businesses.
I came across a video from SmallBusinessNewz.com that goes into using online business directories to your advantage…
By adding your business to online directories as well as Google and Yahoo local search you increase your web visibility, get links to your web site and improve your search rankings.
Many online business directories are free. The ones that cost money will have to be decided on based on your advertising budget.
Continue reading .
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I recently came across an article showing a survey that had online search (31%) beating Yellow Pages (30%) for the first time in history.
Here are all the results:
A comScore study sponsored by TMP Directional Marketing finds that search engines have become primary sources for seeking local services (31%) — followed by Yellow/White Pages (30%), online Yellow Page-type sites (19%) and then local search sites (11%).
We’ve always advised local businesses to cut down on their Yellow Pages expense by using a smaller ad with their web site address in it. You can provide a lot more information at much less expense using your web site.
Continue reading .
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